Cairns sets pace

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 34032, 22 December 1975, Page 28

Cairns sets pace

V '£ Pre** • ■ MASTERTON. i Lance Cairns. the , Central Districts cricket', all-rounder yesterday': became an early front- ' runner for the award for the fastest 50 of the ■ season. Cairns thrashed the Wellington bowling in the Shell | series match at Queen Eliza-i, beth Park, Masterton for 50j; in onlv 31 mimites and off! 40 balls He finished with a roll-!, icking. unbeaten 75. and his: big hitting ‘hrfl’ed Mie crowd. The effort enabled Central Districts to declare and; leave Wellington requiring 252 in 190 minutes. Wellington was 199 fori seven a» stumps, rhe garni ending in a draw. Robert Smith and Graham Newdick gave Wellington a; flying start, and it was 671 for one at tea after onlv 11; overs. Wellington was well! placed starting the last 15 overs. At that stage (154 forfour, it had to average 6.5 an over). But David O’Sullivan' claimed the valuable wicket of Mike Harris without addition to the score, and the 1 run rate slowed. .Another kev wicket fell at 188. when Jeremy Coneyi was run ut and the side) was seven down.

VEJMIHAI, AII.SVIX Only six overs remained j and Wellington still required 64. For Wellington, it was a matter of settling for a draw, and it was Central; Districts which were attack-; ing at the close. Rodger Pierce and Ray; Hutchinson saved Central I Districts .vesterday morning.' They came together at 104' for four, when Central’s’ over-all lead was only 67. The side needed a big, partnership, and the pair obliged with one. They added 94 in better than even time, i Wellington was back in the hunt at 205 for six, but Cairns smashed the bowline I to all parts of the ground. His 75 came in only 48 minutes, and the innings in-' eluded three sixes and 10 fours.